palmer



A. J. & G. H. PALMER.

(No Model.)

ATOMIZER.

No. 366,022. PaQtentedJuly 5-, 1887.

N. FEJERS. PhuhrLilhogmphcr. Waihingwm D.c.

UNITED STATES PATENT EEicE.

ADONIRAM J. PALMER AND GEORGE II. PALMER, 0F BROOKLYN, NE\V YORK.

ATOIVHZER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 366,022, dated July 5, 1887.

Application filed February 9, ]887. Serial No. 227,002. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it 71mg concern.-

Be it known that we, ADONIRAM J. PALMER and GEORGE H. PALMER, both residing in Brooklyn, Kings county, in the State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Atomizers, of which the ,following is a specifiation.

Our improved atomizer will be'described as applied to atomizing liquid by compressed air received from a reservoir. Such are useful for atomizing, emulsifying, mixing, vaporizing, and general medical purposes, the atomizing liquid being used for inhaling or for other purposes.

\Ve have discovered that the efficiency of a blast of air in inducing the atomic condition may be increased by holding the dense fluid in a quiescent condition and ejecting the air upward from a nozzle immersed in the dense fluid or in the foam which accumulates thereon.

The nature of our invention will be set forth in the accompanying description and claims.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and represent what we consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure l is a central vertical section. Fig. 2 is a vertical section at right angles on the line was in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows the front or the side of the device which receives the air under pressure. Fig. 4 represents the dischargenozzle as it lies when out of use. The remaining three figures represent modifications. They are all. central vertical sections.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the'figures where they occur.

A is a support, of wood or other suitable material, carrying pedestals A A.

B is a vessel certain portions of which will be designated when necessary by additional marks, as B B &c. This vessel is preferably of glass. Itis provided with trunnions B,by

which it is supported, with a capacity to be inclined at various angles. A receiving-nozzle, B is equipped with a cork 0, through which is inserted the air-induction pipe D, whichinclines downward, as shown, terminating with a nozzle, D, directed upward. may be of glass.

This pipe D Its outer end is connected by a rubber pipe, E, with an air-reservoir, G, the discharge from which into our device is controlled by a stop-cock, G. The capacious spherical chamber 1) in the interior of B connects by a liberal passage with a curved channel formed by a tube, B, which lies on or near or isjoined to the outer surface of B.

This chamber extends past the exitnozzle B and forms a pocket, b The nozzle 13 connects by a rubber tube, II, with a dischargenozzle, I, formed as shown, adapted to be con veniently taken in the mouth of the patient. It is provided with an annular chamber, i, which serves as a trap for arresting saliva. This portion of the apparatus is formed in two parts joined by a screw-thread, as shown. By unscrewing and separating the parts the chamber z may be emptied of its contents and the parts cleaned. A vent-hole, z", is provided in the device I, through which air may be iuducted and expelled to prevent too much pressure or vacuum upon inspiration or expiration. The medicinal preparation-water or other liquid to be atomized is introduced through a nozzle, B which is closed by a removable plug, J. The nozzleB is inclosed by a metallic strap, K, to which is connected by a knuckle, 7a, a bent wire, L, which is secured by a pinchingscrew, m, in a block, M, mounted with freedom to swivel in one of the brackets A. The foundation-block A is out out, as indicated by dotted lines, to allow the wire to be adjusted up and down, thereby inducing any required variation in the inclination of the receiving-tube D. This in practice is inclined always sufficiently to allow the dense liquid in the bottom of the chamber 1) to overflow the nozzle D. The inclination should be varied from time to time as the liquid in the chamber 1) becomes reduced in quantity by the atomizing opera tion. With some liquids it should also be varied somewhat in proportion to the amount of foam. When there is much foam, the device may succeed with the nozzle at the surface of the dense liquid; but under ordinary conditions the nozzle Dshould be slightly immersed below the surface of the dense liquid. The mechanism allows the inclination to be adj usted as required, so as to hold it always just sufficiently immersed. The arrangement of ICO the pipe D and its nozzle prevents mischief from the backflow of the liquid when the operation is suspended either briefly or permanently. The. dense liquid flows backward into the nozzle to a small extent; but so soon as it has lowered the level of the liquid below the mouth of the nozzle, or in any possible event so soon as the nozzle D anda small portion of the tube D have been filled, so as to make the level in the pipe D the same as that in the chamber b, any further backward flow will be arrested by gravity. On resuming the blast of air the dense liquid thus received back ward into the pipe will be promptly expelled, and the atomizing will commence again as before.

In operating, the air or other gaseous fluid comes ata considerable pressure from the reservoir G and pipe D, and is discharged upward from the nozzle D. The liquid is carried up by the blast in the form of finely-divided particles; but they are not allowed to move far in the direction in which they are thus ejected. The passage by which the air thus introduced escapes from the chamber 1) after circulating therein is so far out of line with the motion of the particles as they are driven upward from the vicinity of the nozzle D that all the large particles thus driven upward are certain to strike the interior of B, and after accumulating thus to a sufficient quantity to trickle down and again join the mass of dense liquid in the bottom. Only the finest particles remain suspended in the air after it has circulated within the chamber 12 and changed its course sufficiently to be discharged therefrom. In flowing through the curved tube B further heavy particles may be arrested. Ultimately only the air charged with the finest particles is delivered through the nozzle B, tube H, and discharge-nozzle I. The liberal proportion of the particles thrown up will be arrested in the chamber 6, and will trickle down to again join the dense liquid in the bottom. There is a tendency after thus intimately mingling with the air to retain particles of air in contact and to form a foam. Such foam may accumulate to a considerable depth over the surface of the dense fluid without introducing any difficulty. The

air with the particles of liquid moving upward from the nozzle D keeps a relatively clear passage through the foam at that point. The motion of theair in being discharged in a gentle current from the chamber 6 into the pipe B maintains a clear passage at that j unction. Any foam which is carried over, or any imperfectly suspended particles which are traversing through the pipe 13 are retained by contact with the interior walls of the latter, and, gathering, trickle down. Those which are on the right-hand side of'the center may descend directly into the chamber 12. Those which are on the top and on the left side of the center are carried by gravity and by the motion of the air to the left. They accumulate in the pocket If. At intervals the entire piece B, with its support A A, may be lifted from the table and tilted up to discharge the contents of the pocket b downward into the chamber Z1, after which its use may be resumed, as before. Under ordinary conditions, the small quantity accumulated in the pocket may be allowed to remain until the apparatus is cleaned and then thrown away.

Modifications may be made in the forms and proportions within wide limits without departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages of the invention. Fig. 6 shows a form in which no pipe corresponding to B is employed. The air is introduced through the pipe D and nozzle D, below the surface of the dense liquid, and the heavy particles thrown. upward are arrested by striking the surface presented'above, as before; but the air, with the fine particles, is allowed to flow outward through the nozzle B, to mingle either directly with the air of the apartment or to be carried through a hose, H, and dischargenozzle I, as may be preferred. Fig. 5 shows a nearly equally simple form; but in this case the discharge is at a different point from the induction. Fig. 7 shows an apparatus somewhat approximating to this plan, which we propose to employ in treating liquids on a large scale for commercial purposes, as in distilling. The steam, air, or other light fluid to beintimately mingled with the denser liquid is discharged with an upward motion into the bottom of a conical vessel, which may be of any size and contain any quantity of the petroleum or other liquid to be treated. The mingledfluids pass outward through the discharge-pipe B. In all these forms the nozzle D, through which the air or other light fluid is introduced at a high velocity, is surrounded by or immersed in the liquid to be acted upon and atomized, instead of being, as usual, drawn through a small tube. A small tube is liable to be choked up, and cannot be relied on for many purposes. Our experiments indicate that our apparatus will serve efficiently and reliably in all situations.

We claim as our invention- 1. In an atomizer, the compressed-gas reservoir G, cock G, pipe D, and nozzle D, in

IIO

combination with each other and with a vessel,

2. In an atomizer, in combination with the pipe D and nozzle D, arranged to direct upward the blast from below the surface of the liquid, the chamber 1), presenting its upper surface to arrest and engage the dense particles of the liquid, and to deflect away the current of air bearing only the finest particles to be utilized, substantially as herein specified.

3. In an atomizer having a pipe, D, and nozzle D, the vessel B, mounted on trunnions B, and adjusting means 7c L M m, combined and arranged for joint operation, substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.

4. In an atomizer, the vessel B, having a chamber, 6, curved pipe B and pocket I)", in combination with the pipe D, and its nozzle D, arranged to atomize the liquid by a blast directed upward from below the surface, and to arrest and automatically return the heavier particles, and to allow any liquid accumulated in the pocket 5* to be returned at intervals by materially changing the position of the whole, substantially as herein specified.

5. In an atomizer having provisions for ejecting a current of air bearing the finelysuspended particles of liquid therein, the discharge-nozzle I, having an annular chamber, 2, adapted to serve as herein specified.

6. In an atomizer, the discharge-nozzle I,

A. .I. PALMER. GEO. H. PALMER.

WVitnesses:

H. A. JoHNsToNE, M. F. BOYLE. 

